France offers a wide range of opportunities for UK businesses – our doing business provides an introduction to the market.

France or “L’Hexagone” is an ideally placed export market for British companies. Many UK companies are already to France successfully and in 2012 British companies exported over £21.03 billion of goods and services to France.

What are the Opportunities?

France is an open and highly competitive market, with opportunities in most sectors, especially for small and medium-sized business. French place a premium on non-price factors such as design, quality, delivery and after sales service. UK goods and services are generally held in high regard, but must be of high quality and competitively priced.

Overseas Business Risk

Read our report giving more details of overseas business risk in relation to France.

This covers:

• Political and economic background

• Bribery & corruption

• Terrorism threat

• Protective security advice

• Intellectual property

• Organised crime

Guide to Doing Business in France

UKTI has produced a guide aimed at companies experienced in overseas trade who are new to doing business with France. This guide aims to provide a route map of the way ahead, together with signposts to sources of help.

• Introduction

• Preparing to Export

• How to do Business

• What are the challenges

• Business Etiquette

• How to invest in France

• Contacts

Read our Doing business guide for France.

Sector Briefings

For information on your sector in France including characteristics of the market, opportunities and key contacts, please check out the latest sector briefings.

See all Sector Reports for France